Lemon Law in Nevada

Life brings enough stress. The last thing you want to concern yourself with is the possibility that someone may take advantage of you by selling you a damaged or inferior automobile.

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence. But, Nevada has instituted lemon laws to protect residents who buy a damaged car.  In order to exercise your rights, you may want to retain an experienced lemon law attorney in Nevada.

What Is a Lemon Law?

Lemon laws deal with consumer protections that are particularly applicable to automobile purchases. For any lemon law to apply, the automobile must suffer from a defect. This problem should be outside the purchaser’s control, like a manufacturer issue. Furthermore, lemon laws apply if a certain number of reasonable repairs happened to the vehicle in question to no avail.

When Do Nevada Lemon Laws Apply?

Lemon laws only apply when the vehicle in question is under warranty. This restriction does not mean it has to have a new guarantee. There are often dealership warranties attached to certified used cars. Under the federal lemon law requirements, conditions must meet the following criteria:

  • The manufacturer attempted to fix the issue on several occasions. Note that the number of conditions that merit a lemon law application can vary based on the court’s opinion.
  • There have been attempts to address the issue(s) in question within the first two years of owning and operating the vehicle.
  • The car has been out of service for at least 30 days. Note that the days do not have to be consecutive.

How Do You Ensure the Application of Lemon Laws?

There are some common practices that you can take that better position you when citing lemon law:

  • You should only take the vehicle in question to the corresponding dealership for repairs. By taking it there, you establish credibility by showing the responsible party attempted to address the issue. If you take the vehicle to a mom-and-pop mechanic, the manufacturer cannot be held liable for any attempts made to fix the problem.
  • Keep accurate and detailed records of any repairs made. This way, if your case goes to trial, have accurate logs that detail the manufacturer’s opportunities to fix the mechanical issues. This detail also helps build a timeline of how long you could not use your vehicle.

Lemon law statutes vary by state. You should research the lemon law requirements in Nevada to ensure you remain within the legal confines.

Nevada Statutes give residents of the state legal recourse if they have purchased a defective automobile. Unlike some other states, Nevada’s lemon laws also extend to motorcycles, and other “street legal” vehicles, as well as new cars. However, Nevada residents have to give dealers and manufacturers ample time to repair the defects in a vehicle before proceeding under lemon laws. This time frame can alter, but according to the law, it is any number of repairs that is unreasonable, or an unreasonable amount of days in the shop.

What Exactly Are Consumers Entitled To Under Lemon Laws?

You have a legal entitlement to a replacement vehicle or refund if Nevada lemon laws apply. However, manufacturers may deduct a fee in proportion to the miles the owner put on the car or truck before it became unusable. This compensation should include:

  • Down payment
  • Registration
  • Taxes
  • Car rentals
  • Monthly payments
  • Tow expenses
  • Attorney costs

Do Lemon Laws Apply to Used Vehicles?

Lemon laws can apply to used vehicles. However, this is for written warranties distributed along with the vehicle upon sale. Often, a used car dealership sells vehicles with a portion of the guarantee remaining. This situation incentivizes the purchase and (allegedly) puts the buyer’s mind at ease.

Nevada Lemon Laws extend protections to used vehicles that have been purchased. However, there is no such protection for motor homes, or vehicles that are designated as “off-road” vehicles.

When Should You Hire a Qualified Nevada Lemon Law Attorney?

Have you attempted to have your vehicle repaired at the dealership? Consumers should consider legal action when it doesn’t work for 30 days. If you can’t resolve the issue with the manufacturer, it may be time to bring in an experienced Nevada lemon law attorney.

How Does the Lemon Law Litigation Process Work?

Consumers can expect to go through a series of motions by bringing in an experienced Nevada lawyer. However, introducing legal counsel into the situation is the best way for consumers to receive a fair outcome. With most Nevada lemon law attorneys, you can expect the following:

  • Free Case Evaluation – Attorneys should review your case for free. They will determine its merit and whether you have a justifiable claim.
  • Filing Your Claim – Your Nevada legal representative should handle filing a claim with the manufacturer after determining the facts.
  • Further Action – Your vehicle’s manufacturer may refuse to comply with the claim under federal and state statutes. Then your attorney files suit to seek entitled compensation on your behalf.
  • Pursuing Settlement – The manufacturer should cover all costs and fees if you achieve a settlement before trial. This compensation will often include attorney fees.
  • Contingency Fee Basis – At the end of the ordeal, clients should not have to pay for attorney’s fees. Even if you ultimately lose your case, a reputable Nevada law firm should not charge clients fees. If you win your case, the manufacturer pays the attorney’s fees.

The Uniform Arbitration Act of 2000 requires all residents seeking to enforce their rights through lemon laws, to first go through a process of mandatory arbitration. Before entering this arbitration phase, you have to provide the dealer or manufacturer written notice. This states that you intend to designate your car as a lemon.

While many lemon law disputes are settled during this period, you still have every right to use the Nevada Court System. You may even file with the Nevada Court of Appeals. If you decide to take this path. You may want an experienced Nevada lemon lawyer by your side.

Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Nevada

Do you need immediate help? Then one of our experienced lawyers in Nevada can help guide you through the Lemon Law litigation process. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Nevada state lines!

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